Information processing apparatus and activation method thereof

ABSTRACT

An information processing apparatus includes a storage unit configured to store information related to an activation of the information processing apparatus, a control unit configured to perform a control such that, in a case where the information stored in the storage unit relates to a first activation, the information processing apparatus is shifted into a standby state when power is supplied to the information processing apparatus, and in a case where the stored information relates to a second activation, the information processing apparatus is shifted into the standby state when the power is supplied to the information processing apparatus and also a signal input to the control unit is put into a particular state, and a power supply control unit configured to put the signal input to the control unit into the particular state when the information processing apparatus is not shifted into the standby state even when the power is supplied.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/570,955 filed Dec. 15, 2014, which claims the benefit of JapanesePatent Application No. 2013-261500 filed Dec. 18, 2013, all of which arehereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a technology of automaticallyactivating an information processing apparatus even in a case wheresetting information that is referred to when the information processingapparatus is activated is rewritten.

Description of the Related Art

Up to now, an information processing apparatus such as a personalcomputer includes a memory for holding basic setting information forcontrolling the information processing apparatus (information of aninitial position address of a ROM which is read out at the time of theactivation, information related to an activation of the informationprocessing apparatus, information indicating the time, and the like).The memory that stores this setting information is a complementary MOS(CMOS) and holds the memory of the setting information by power suppliedfrom a battery. Hereinafter, the above-described memory is mentioned as“activation internal memory”. The information related to the activationof the information processing apparatus stored in the activationinternal memory indicates one of the following modes;

-   -   “AUTO” mode to automatically activate up to a standby state when        power is supplied from an alternating current (AC) power supply.    -   “SOFT OFF” mode to stand by for the activation until a soft        switch is pressed by a user even after the power is supplied        from the AC power supply.

A general-use processor used in the information processing apparatussuch as the personal computer can store one of information indicatingthe “SOFT OFF” mode and information indicating the “AUTO” mode inaccordance with a selection made by the user in order to correspond to ause environment of the user. In a case where the information indicatingthe “AUTO” mode is stored, when the power is supplied to the informationprocessing apparatus from the AC power supply, the informationprocessing apparatus immediately starts the activation. On the otherhand, in a case where the information indicating the “SOFT OFF” mode isstored, when the power is supplied to the information processingapparatus from the AC power supply, a waiting state for the press of thesoft switch is established. At this time, when the soft switch ispressed by the user, the information processing apparatus starts theactivation (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-148633). It is notedthat the activation is a series of processings performed from the supplyof the power from the AC power supply until the information processingapparatus is put into a usable state and includes an activation ofapplication and the like.

A general-use processor that can store both of the informationindicating the “SOFT OFF” mode and the information indicating the “AUTO”mode as described above is also used in a printing apparatus.

However, a printing apparatus in which the power supply is hardly turnedoff, in preparation for FAX reception or the like, may not be providedwith the soft switch for switching on/off the power supply in accordancewith operation by a user in some cases. For this reason, in the printingapparatus that is not provided with the soft switch, the activationinternal memory stores the information indicating the “AUTO” mode as theinformation related to the activation so that the printing apparatus isautomatically activated up to the standby state when the power issupplied from the AC power supply.

Incidentally, the setting information stored in the activation internalmemory may be rewritten in some cases because of a foreign element suchas static charge or cosmic ray. In the above-described printingapparatus, if the information related to the activation which is storedin the activation internal memory is rewritten from the informationindicating the “AUTO” mode to the information indicating the “SOFT OFF”mode, even when the power is supplied from the AC power supply, theprinting apparatus is not activated. This is because, when theinformation related to the activation which is stored in the activationinternal memory turns to the “SOFT OFF” mode, the printing apparatusthat has received the power supplied from the AC power supply is putinto the waiting state for the press of the soft switch, but theprinting apparatus is not provided with the soft switch.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above, the present invention aims at providing aninformation processing apparatus in which, in a case where settinginformation that is referred to when the information processingapparatus is activated is rewritten, the information processingapparatus can be automatically activated.

An information processing apparatus according to one embodiment of thepresent invention includes a storage unit configured to storeinformation related to an activation of the information processingapparatus corresponding to information that is referred to in a casewhere power is supplied to the information processing, a control unitconfigured to perform a control such that, in a case where theinformation stored in the storage unit relates to a first activation,the information processing apparatus is shifted into a standby statewhen the power is supplied to the information processing apparatus, andin a case where the information stored in the storage unit relates to asecond activation, the information processing apparatus is shifted intothe standby state when the power is supplied to the informationprocessing apparatus and also a signal input to the control unit is putinto a particular state, and a power supply control unit configured toput the signal input to the control unit into the particular state in acase where the information processing apparatus is not shifted into thestandby state even when the power is supplied to the informationprocessing apparatus.

Further preferred features of the present invention will become apparentfrom the following description of exemplary embodiments with referenceto the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a printing system provided with a client PC and animage forming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a hardware block diagram illustrating an outline of aninternal configuration of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a hardware block diagram illustrating details of a controlunit illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a power supply circuit diagram of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 5 illustrates a relationship between logics of state signals and astate of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a state transition diagram of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart for signals input to and output from a powersupply control unit in a case where information related to an activationindicates an “AUTO” mode.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart for the signals input to and output from thepower supply control unit in a case where the information related to theactivation indicates a “SOFT OFF” mode.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart for reverting the information related to theactivation which is stored in the activation internal memory.

FIG. 10 illustrates a screen displayed on an operation unit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments for carrying out the presentinvention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 1 illustrates an entire configuration of a printing systemincluding an image forming apparatus according to a first exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

A printing system 1 is provided with a client PC 100 and an imageforming apparatus 200. In the printing system 1, the client PC 100performs a communication with the image forming apparatus 200 via anetwork 300. The network 300 may be a wired network such as a LAN or aUSB or a wireless network such as a wireless LAN.

FIG. 2 is a hardware block diagram of the image forming apparatus 200.

The image forming apparatus 200 includes a control unit 201, anoperation unit 202, a printer unit 203, and a scanner unit 204. Thecontrol unit 201 is configured to control the respective units of theimage forming apparatus 200 (the operation unit 202, the printer unit203, and the scanner unit 204). The operation unit 202 is provided witha hard key for a user to perform various operations and a display panel202 a for displaying an image or a text. The above-described hard keyincludes a power saving key 202 b for shifting the image formingapparatus 200 from a standby state into a sleep state where powerconsumption is lower than the standby state or shifting the imageforming apparatus 200 from the sleep state into the standby state. Therespective power states such as the standby state and the sleep statementioned above will be described below. The printer unit 203 isconfigured to print an image on which image processing has beenperformed by the control unit 201 on a sheet. The scanner unit 204generates image data by reading an image on an original. The image datais input to the control unit 201.

FIG. 3 is a hardware block diagram of the control unit 201.

The control unit 201 includes a CPU 301, a RAM 302, a ROM 303, and ahard disc drive (HDD) 304. The control unit 201 also includes anoperation unit I/F 305, a LAN controller 306, a system bus 307, an imageprocessing unit 308, a printer I/F 309, a scanner I/F 310, a powersupply control unit 311, and an I/O controller 312. In FIG. 3, the CPU301 and the I/O controller 312 are illustrated separately, but each ofthe CPU 301 and the I/O controller 312 may be an individual IC chip, ora single IC chip including the CPU 301 and the I/O controller 312 may beused.

The CPU 301 controls accesses with various devices connected to the CPU301 on the basis of a control program or the like stored in the ROM 303.The RAM 302 is a system work memory for the CPU 301 to operate. The RAM302 is configured to temporarily store image data on which imageprocessing is performed by the image processing unit 308. The HDD 304can store system software and the image data. The operation unit I/F 305is an interface unit for connecting the system bus 307 to the operationunit 202. The operation unit I/F 305 receives the image data to bedisplayed on the operation unit 202 from the system bus 307. Theoperation unit I/F 305 also outputs information input from the user viathe operation unit 202 to the system bus 307. The LAN controller 306 isconnected between the network 300 and the system bus 307. The LANcontroller 306 is configured to control input and output of informationbetween the client PC 100 and the image forming apparatus 200 which areconnected via the network 300. The image processing unit 308 isconfigured to perform the image processing on the input image data.Specifically, the image forming apparatus 200 reads out the image datastored in the RAM 302 and performs image processing such as enlargingprocessing, reducing processing, and color adjustment processing on theread image data. The image data on which the image processing has beenperformed by the image processing unit 308 is output to the printer unit203 via the scanner I/F 310. An image of an original scanned by thescanner unit 204 is output to the image processing unit 308 via theprinter I/F 309. In a case where copying of the original is performed,the image of the original is read by the scanner unit 204 and output tothe image processing unit 308. Subsequently, the image processing unit308 performs the image processing on the image data input to the imageprocessing unit 308, and thereafter the image data is output to theprinter unit 203 via the scanner I/F 310. In addition, in a case wherethe image of the original read by the scanner unit 204 is saved, theimage of the original is read by the scanner unit 204 and output to theimage processing unit 308. Subsequently, the image processing unit 308performs the image processing on the image data input to the imageprocessing unit 308, and thereafter the image data is stored in the HDD304. The power supply control unit 311 and the I/O controller 312 willbe described in detail below.

FIG. 4 is a power supply circuit diagram of the image forming apparatus200.

A power supply plug 415 is designed to input the AC power supply to theimage forming apparatus 200. A first power supply unit 401 and a secondpower supply unit 408 convert the AC power supply input via the powersupply plug 415 into direct current (DC) power supply. The first powersupply unit 401 generates, for example, the DC power supply at 5.0 V. Inaddition, the second power supply unit 408 generates, for example, theDC power supply at 12.0 V. A power supply switch 416 is arranged betweenthe power supply plug 415 and the first power supply unit 401 and thesecond power supply unit 408. The power supply switch 416 is put into anON state or an OFF state in accordance with the user operation. Inaddition, a relay 417 is provided between the second power supply unit408 and a second power supply system device that receives the powersupplied from the second power supply unit 408. The relay 417 is putinto the ON state or the OFF state on the basis of a logic of the powersupply control signal F (Hi level, Low level) output from the powersupply control unit 311. The above-described second power supply systemdevice corresponds to the CPU 301, the HDD 304, the image processingunit 308, the scanner unit 204, the printer unit 203, and the like.

A first power supply monitoring unit 411 monitors a voltage valuesupplied from the first power supply unit 401. Subsequently, in a casewhere the voltage value monitored by the first power supply monitoringunit 411 becomes higher than or equal to a predetermined value, thefirst power supply monitoring unit 411 sets a reset signal A input to afirst power supply system device supplied with the power from the firstpower supply unit 401 to the Hi level. Accordingly, the reset of thefirst power supply system device is cancelled. The first power supplysystem device corresponds to the power supply control unit 311, the I/Ocontroller 312, the RAM 302, the ROM 303, the LAN controller 306, andthe like. In addition, a second power supply monitoring unit 412monitors a voltage value supplied from the second power supply unit 408.Subsequently, in a case where the voltage value monitored by the secondpower supply monitoring unit 412 becomes higher than or equal to apredetermined value, the second power supply monitoring unit 412 sets apower good signal H input to the I/O controller 312 to the Hi level.When the power good signal H turns to the Hi level, the I/O controller312 sets a reset signal B input to the power supply control unit 311 tothe Hi level. Accordingly, the reset of the second power supply systemdevice is cancelled. It is noted that the reset signal B is also inputto the power supply control unit 311.

A battery 406 supplies power to an activation internal memory 413. Whilethe power is supplied from the battery 406, information stored in theactivation internal memory 413 is not cleared.

With Regard to Details of the Power Supply Control Unit 311

The power supply control unit 311 controls the power supplied to therespective units of the image forming apparatus 200. The power supplycontrol unit 311 according to the present exemplary embodiment is ahardware logic circuit and is composed of a complex programmable logicdevice (CPLD). It is noted that the power supply control unit 311 may bea processor that performs information processing in accordance withsoftware. The power supply control unit 311 includes a watchdog timer402, a state detection unit 403, a power supply control section 404, anda register 405.

The watchdog timer 402 is a timer for counting a predetermined time andsets an interrupt signal I to the Hi level when the counting of thepredetermined time is completed. After the reset of the power supplycontrol unit 311 is cancelled, the watchdog timer 402 sets the interruptsignal I to the Hi level in a case where states of a state signal C anda state signal D which will be described below are not changed beforethe predetermined time elapses. The interrupt signal I is input from thewatchdog timer 402 to the power supply control section 404.

The state detection unit 403 is configured to detect a power state ofthe image forming apparatus 200. The state detection unit 403 detectsthe power state of the image forming apparatus 200 on the basis ofstates of various input signals. Specifically, the reset signal A, thereset signal B, the state signal C, the state signal D, and a clocksignal E are input to the state detection unit 403. The reset signal Ais a signal for cancelling the reset of the first power supply systemdevice. The reset signal B is a signal for cancelling the reset of thesecond power supply system device. The state signal C turns to the Hilevel in a case where the image forming apparatus 200 is shifted from apower supply off state (G3) into the sleep state (S3). The state signalD turns to the Hi level in a case where the image forming apparatus 200is shifted from the sleep state (S3) into the standby state (S1). Theclock signal E is a rectangular signal output from a crystal oscillatorthat is not illustrated in the drawing in a case where the power issupplied from the first power supply unit 401 to the I/O controller 312.

It is noted that S1, S3, and G3 described above and S5 that will bedescribed below are states defined by the Advanced Configuration andPower Interface (ACPI) standard. The respective power states will bedescribed below. It is also noted that S1 of the image forming apparatus200 may be S0.

The power supply control section 404 is configured to output therespective signals for performing the power control of the image formingapparatus 200. Specifically, the power supply control section 404controls a power supply control signal F for setting the relay 417 thatswitches the power supply to the second power supply system device tothe ON state or the OFF state. When the power supply control signal Fturns to the Hi level, the relay 417 is put into the ON state, and thepower is supplied from the second power supply unit 408 to the secondpower supply system device. The power supply control section 404 alsocontrols a power on signal G for shifting the image forming apparatus200 remaining in the soft off state (S5) into the standby state. Thepower supply control section 404 can set the power on signal G input toa power button terminal 418 of the I/O controller 312 to the Low level(particular state). The power on signal G is open-drain output from thepower supply control section 404 and is set to the Hi level in a normalcircumstance since the power button terminal 418 is internally pulledup. The normal circumstance refers to a case where the informationrelated to the activation stored in the activation internal memory 413indicates the “AUTO” mode.

The register 405 holds information indicating that the power on signal Gis controlled.

With Regard to Details of the I/O Controller 312

The I/O controller 312 is a general-use processor also used in apersonal computer or the like. The I/O controller 312 includes theactivation internal memory 413. The activation internal memory 413 holdsbasic setting information for controlling the image forming apparatus200. The setting information includes information of an initial positionaddress of the ROM 303 read out by the CPU 301 at the time of theactivation of the image forming apparatus 200, information related tothe activation of the image forming apparatus 200, informationindicating the time, and the like. The information related to theactivation of the image forming apparatus 200 indicates one of the“AUTO” mode to automatically activate up to the standby state when thepower is supplied and the “SOFT OFF” mode to stand by for the activationuntil the soft switch is pressed by the user even when the power issupplied. In the image forming apparatus 200 that is not provided withthe soft switch according to the present exemplary embodiment, theinformation related to the activation indicates the “AUTO” mode. Thatis, when the power supply plug 415 is connected to the AC power supply,the image forming apparatus 200 automatically returns up to the standbystate. The activation internal memory 413 is a memory that holdsinformation by the power from the battery and is, for example, a CMOS.

The I/O controller 312 corresponding to a general-use processor providedin the image forming apparatus 200 according to the present exemplaryembodiment is provided with the power button terminal 418. The power onsignal G is input to the power button terminal 418 from the power supplycontrol unit 311. The power button terminal 418 is a terminal preparedto cancel the waiting state for the press of the soft switch provided inthe personal computer. That is, the I/O controller 312 restricts theimage forming apparatus 200 to be put into the standby state (S1) untilthe power on signal G input to the power button terminal 418 turns tothe Low level.

The I/O controller 312 functions as a signal output unit configured tooutput the reset signal B, the state signal C, the state signal D, andthe clock signal E to the power supply control unit 311.

Next, a relationship between the logics of the state signal C and thestate signal D and the power state of the image forming apparatus 200will be described with reference to FIG. 5. As illustrated in FIG. 5, ina case where both the state signal C and the state signal D are at theLow level, the image forming apparatus 200 is in the power supply offstate (G3). It is however noted that even in a case where both the statesignals C and D are at the Low level, if the information related to theactivation which is stored in the activation internal memory 413 is theinformation indicating the “SOFT OFF” mode, the image forming apparatus200 may turn to the soft off state (S5) in some cases. In a case wherethe state signal C is at the Hi level and also the state signal D is atthe Low level, the image forming apparatus 200 is in the sleep state(S3). In a case where the state signal C and the state signal D at theHi level, the image forming apparatus 200 is in the standby state (S1).

With Regard to State Transition of the Image Forming Apparatus

FIG. 6 is a state transition diagram of the image forming apparatus 200.

The image forming apparatus 200 is put into one of the power supply offstate (G3), the soft off state (S5), the sleep state (S3), and thestandby state (S1). It is noted that the image forming apparatus 200 maybe put into a state other than the above-described states (for example,an operating state (S0) (printing in execution, scanning in execution,or the like) or a hibernation state (S4)).

The power supply off state (G3) is a state in which the power supply ismechanically off. Specifically, in a case where the power supply switch416 is in the OFF state, the image forming apparatus 200 is the powersupply off state (G3). The power supply off state (G3) corresponds to astate in which the power is not supplied to any parts of the imageforming apparatus 200 via the power supply plug 415.

The soft off state (S5) is a state in which only the power used foractivating the image forming apparatus 200 is supplied and correspondsto the waiting state for the press of the soft switch that is notprovided in the image forming apparatus 200. In the image formingapparatus 200, specifically, according to an activation method stored inthe activation internal memory 413, a state of waiting for the powersupply switch 416 to turn to the ON state and for the power on signal Ginput to the power button terminal 418 to turn to the Low level isestablished.

The sleep state (S3) is a state in which the RAM 302 where the programin execution is expanded is turned on, and the power is supplied to thepart used for returning to the standby state (S1). In a case where theoperation unit 202 is operated by the user or a job is received from theoutside, since the processing can be started by using the programalready expanded in the RAM 302, the sleep state (S3) promptly returnsto the standby state (S1).

The standby state (S1) is a state shifted from the operating state (S0)when the execution of the printing or the scanning is completed. Thestandby state (S1) corresponds to a state in which the power is suppliedto the first power supply system device and the second power supplysystem device via the power supply plug 415.

In a case where the information related to the activation which isstored in the activation internal memory 413 indicates the “SOFT OFF”mode, when the power supply switch 416 is put into the ON state by theuser in the power supply off state (G3), the image forming apparatus 200is shifted into the soft off state (S5). On the other hand, in a casewhere the information related to the activation which is stored in theactivation internal memory 413 indicates the “AUTO” mode, when the powersupply switch 416 is put into the ON state by the user in the powersupply off state (G3), the image forming apparatus 200 is shifted intothe standby state (S1).

When the power supply control unit 311 sets the power on signal G inputto the power button terminal 418 to the Low level in the soft off state(S5), the image forming apparatus 200 is shifted into the standby state(S1).

In a case where no operation is performed by the user and thepredetermined time elapses or a case where no job is received via thenetwork and the predetermined time elapses in the standby state (S1),the image forming apparatus 200 is shifted into the sleep state (S3).

In a case where the operation is performed by the user or a case wherethe job is received via the network in the sleep state (S3), the imageforming apparatus 200 is shifted into the standby state (S1).

When the power supply switch 416 is put into the OFF state by the userin the soft off state (S5), the sleep state (S3), and the standby state(S1), the image forming apparatus 200 is shifted into the power supplyoff state (G3).

FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are timing charts for the above-described respectivesignals (the reset signal A, the reset signal B, the state signal C, thestate signal D, the clock signal E, the power supply control signal F,the power on signal G, the power good signal H, and the interrupt signalI).

FIG. 7 is the timing chart for the respective signals in a case wherethe information related to the activation which is stored in theactivation internal memory 413 indicates the “AUTO” mode. Theinformation related to the activation which is stored in the activationinternal memory 413 is normally set as the “AUTO” mode.

When the power supply switch 416 is put into the ON state by the useroperation, the power is supplied from the first power supply unit 401 tothe power supply control unit 311, and the I/O controller 312. When thefirst power supply monitoring unit 411 detects that the voltage suppliedfrom the first power supply unit 401 becomes higher than or equal to thepredetermined value, the first power supply monitoring unit 411 sets thereset signal A to the Hi level. When the reset signal A turns to the Hilevel, the watchdog timer 402 starts the counting of the timer (apredetermined time T). After the reset signal A turns to the Hi level,an oscillator (not illustrated) of the I/O controller 312 oscillates theclock signal E at a predetermined oscillation frequency. Subsequently,the I/O controller 312 refers to the information related to theactivation which is stored in the activation internal memory 413. In acase where the referred information related to the activation indicatesthe “AUTO” mode, the activation processing is continuously executed.Subsequently, after the state signal C is set to the Hi level, the I/Ocontroller 312 sets the state signal D to the Hi level. When the statesignal D turns to the Hi level, the watchdog timer 402 stops thecounting of the timer (the predetermined time T).

When it is detected that the state signal D turns to the Hi level, thestate detection unit 403 notifies the power supply control section 404that the state signal D turns to the Hi level. The power supply controlsection 404 that has received the notification sets the power supplycontrol signal F to the Hi level and puts the relay 417 into the ONstate. Accordingly, the power is supplied from the second power supplyunit 408 to the second power supply system device such as the I/Ocontroller 312. The level of the voltage supplied from the second powersupply unit 408 is monitored by the second power supply monitoring unit412. When the voltage monitored by the second power supply monitoringunit 412 becomes higher than or equal to the predetermined value, thesecond power supply monitoring unit 412 sets the power good signal H tothe Hi level. When the power good signal H turns to the Hi level, theI/O controller 312 sets the reset signal B to the Hi level. Accordingly,the reset of the second power supply system device is cancelled, andreading of the software for controlling the operation of the secondpower supply system device is started.

FIG. 8 is the timing chart for the respective signals in a case wherethe information related to the activation which is stored in theactivation internal memory 413 indicates the “SOFT OFF” mode.

In the image forming apparatus 200 according to the present exemplaryembodiment, the information related to the activation which is stored inthe activation internal memory 413 indicates the “AUTO” mode. However,the information related to the activation may be rewritten into theinformation indicating the “SOFT OFF” mode in some cases because of aforeign element. If this information related to the activation isrewritten, even when the user sets the power supply switch 416 to the ONstate from the power supply off state (G3), the image forming apparatus200 remains in the waiting state for the press of the soft switch by theuser (the soft off state (S5)). However, the image forming apparatus 200according to the present exemplary embodiment is different from thepersonal computer or the like and does not includes the soft switchoperated by the user for setting the power on signal G input to thepower button terminal 418 to the Low level. Therefore, in a case wherethe information related to the activation which is stored in theactivation internal memory 413 is rewritten into the informationindicating the “SOFT OFF” mode, the image forming apparatus 200 thatdoes not include the soft switch remains in the soft off state (S5). Inview of the above, according to the present exemplary embodiment, thepower supply control unit 311 determines that the information related tothe activation which is stored in the activation internal memory 413 isrewritten and sets the power on signal G input to the power buttonterminal 418 of the I/O controller 312 to the Low level. Accordingly,the image forming apparatus 200 is released from the soft off state (S5)and returns to the standby state (S1). Hereinafter, this configurationwill be described in detail.

When the power supply switch 416 is put into the ON state by the useroperation, the power is supplied from the first power supply unit 401 tothe power supply control unit 311 and the I/O controller 312. When thefirst power supply monitoring unit 411 detects that the voltage suppliedfrom the first power supply unit 401 becomes higher than or equal to thepredetermined value, the first power supply monitoring unit 411 sets thereset signal A to the Hi level. When the reset signal A turns to the Hilevel, the watchdog timer 402 starts the counting of the timer (thepredetermined time T). After the reset signal A turns to the Hi level,the I/O controller 312 outputs the clock signal E at the predeterminedoscillation frequency. Subsequently, the I/O controller 312 refers tothe information related to the activation which is stored in theactivation internal memory 413. In a case where the referred informationrelated to the activation indicates the “SOFT OFF” mode, the I/Ocontroller 312 stays in the standby state until the power on signal Ginput to the power button terminal 418 turns to the Low level. For thatreason, the state signal C and the state signal D remain at the Lowlevel. If the state signal D remains at the Low level, the watchdogtimer 402 completes the counting of the timer T. The watchdog timer 402that has completed the counting of the timer T sets the interrupt signalI to the Hi level. That is the watchdog timer 402 functions as aninterrupt signal output unit for the interrupt signal I. According tothe present exemplary embodiment, when the interrupt signal I turns tothe Hi level, the state detection unit 403 checks the states of thereset signal A, the clock signal E, and the state signal D. When thestate signal C is at the Low level irrespective of a situation where thereset signal A is at the Hi level and also the clock signal E is input,the state detection unit 403 determines that the information related tothe activation which is stored in the activation internal memory 413 isrewritten into the “SOFT OFF” mode. Subsequently, the state detectionunit 403 notifies the power supply control section 404 that theinformation related to the activation indicates the “SOFT OFF” mode.

When it is notified from the state detection unit 403 that theinformation related to the activation indicates the “SOFT OFF” mode, thepower supply control section 404 sets the power on signal G input to thepower button terminal 418 to the Low level. When the power on signal Gturns to the Low level, information indicating that the power on signalG turns to the Low level is stored in the register 405. In a case wherethe power on signal G input to the power button terminal 418 turns tothe Low level, the I/O controller 312 that has been in the soft offstate (S5) cancels the soft off state (S5). Specifically, when the poweron signal G input to the power button terminal 418 turns to the Lowlevel, the I/O controller 312 sets the state signal C and the statesignal D to the Hi level. When it is detected that the state signal Dturns to the Hi level, the state detection unit 403 notifies the powersupply control section 404 of that effect. The power supply controlsection 404 that has received the notification sets the power supplycontrol signal F to the Hi level and puts the relay 417 into the ONstate. Accordingly, the power from the second power supply unit 408 issupplied to the second power supply system device such as the I/Ocontroller 312. The level of the voltage supplied from the second powersupply unit 408 is monitored by the second power supply monitoring unit412. When the voltage monitored by the second power supply monitoringunit 412 becomes higher than or equal to the predetermined value, thesecond power supply monitoring unit 412 sets the power good signal H tothe Hi level. When the power good signal H turns to the Hi level, theI/O controller 312 sets the reset signal B to the Hi level. Accordingly,the reset of the second power supply system device is cancelled, andreading of the software for controlling the operation of the secondpower supply system is started.

It is noted that, after the power on signal G is set to the Low level,the power supply control section 404 sets the power on signal G back tothe Hi level after the predetermined time elapses.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating operation executed by the CPU 301supplied with the power. The CPU 301 supplied with the power performschecking (check sum) of the setting information stored in the activationinternal memory 413.

The CPU 301 obtains the setting information stored in the activationinternal memory 413 (S701). The CPU 301 also obtains a check sum valuepreviously stored in a check sum value storage unit (not illustrated)(S702). Subsequently, the setting value obtained in S701 and the checksum value obtained in S702 are compared with each other (S703). As aresult of the above-described comparison, in a case where the CPU 301determines that a difference exists between the setting value and thecheck sum value (S704: No), initialization (update) of the activationinternal memory 413 is performed as a check sum error (S705).Subsequently, after the initialization of the activation internal memory413 is performed, the CPU 301 clears the value stored in the register405. Subsequently, the CPU 301 ends the present flow. On the other hand,as a result of the comparison, in a case where the CPU 301 determinesthat no difference exists between the setting value and the check sumvalue (S704: Yes), this flow is ended. In this manner, the CPU 301functions as a rewriting unit configured to rewrite the settinginformation stored in the activation internal memory 413. According tothe present exemplary embodiment, in order to return the rewritteninformation related to the activation from the information indicatingthe “SOFT OFF” mode into the information indicating the “AUTO” mode, theinitialization of the activation internal memory 413 is performed. Asanother example, in a case where information indicating that the poweron signal G is set to the Hi level is stored in the register 405, onlythe information related to the activation may be rewritten into theinformation indicating the “SOFT OFF” mode.

In a case where time information stored in the activation internalmemory 413 is cleared after the above-described check sum is executed,as illustrated in FIG. 10, a message urging the user to set a clockagain may be displayed on the display panel 202 a of the operation unit202. In FIG. 10, a message “Clock is initialized. Set it again.” isdisplayed on the display panel 202 a.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, if the image formingapparatus 200 is in the soft off state (S5) irrespective of a situationwhere the reset signal A and the clock signal E are normal and a statein which the I/O controller 312 can be activated is established, thepower supply control unit 311 sets the power on signal G to the Lowlevel. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus 200 is automaticallyactivated from the soft off state (S5). In this manner, even when theinformation related to the activation which is stored in the activationinternal memory 413 is rewritten, the image forming apparatus 200 can beautomatically activated without the user operation. That is, accordingto the present exemplary embodiment, even when the information relatedto the activation is rewritten, the image forming apparatus 200 can beautomatically activated without performing operation of short-circuitinga jumper pin.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, since the informationrelated to the activation is reverted into the information indicatingthe “AUTO” mode by the check sum of FIG. 9, in the next time, in a casewhere the power supply switch 416 is put into the ON state, the imageforming apparatus 200 can be normally shifted into the standby state(S1).

In addition, with the provision of the register 405 indicating that thepower on signal G has been controlled, only the information related tothe activation which is stored in the activation internal memory 413 canbe reverted. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid clearing the othersetting information stored in the activation internal memory 413.Accordingly, the user can avoid setting the clock or the like again.

Other Exemplary Embodiments

According to the above-described exemplary embodiment, the example inwhich the power supply control unit 311 of the hardware logic circuitsets the power on signal G to the Low level has been described, but thepower supply control unit 311 may be a processor that performsinformation processing in accordance with software.

In addition, the logics of the above-described respective signals (thereset signal A, the reset signal B, the state signal C, the state signalD, the power supply control signal F, the power on signal G, the powergood signal H, and the interrupt signal I) may be opposite to the logicsexplained in the above-described exemplary embodiment.

The example in which the power supply control unit 311 checks the statesof plurality of signals has been described, but the power supply controlunit 311 may check a state of one signal (for example, the state signalC or the state signal D) to control the state of the power on signal G.

The example in which the power supply control unit 311 controls thepower on signal G on the basis of the states of the reset signal A, thestate signal C, the state signal D, and the clock signal E has beendescribed. According to the present invention, the signal where thestate is checked in a case where the power supply control unit 311controls the power on signal G may be the state signal C or the statesignal D alone. In addition, if the power supply control unit 311 checksthe reset signal A and the state signal C (or the state signal D),checking on the state of the clock signal E may be avoided. Furthermore,if the power supply control unit 311 checks the state signal C (or thestate signal D) and the clock signal E, checking on the reset signal Amay be avoided.

The functions illustrated in the flow charts according to the presentexemplary embodiment can also be realized when software (program)obtained via a network or various storage media is executed by aprocessing apparatus (a CPU or a processor) such as a computer or apersonal computer.

According to the information processing apparatus of the presentinvention, even in a case where the setting information that is referredto when the information processing apparatus is activated is rewritten,the information processing apparatus can be automatically activated.

Embodiments of the present invention can also be realized by a computerof a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computer executableinstructions recorded on a storage medium (e.g., non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium) to perform the functions of one ormore of the above-described embodiment(s) of the present invention, andby a method performed by the computer of the system or apparatus by, forexample, reading out and executing the computer executable instructionsfrom the storage medium to perform the functions of one or more of theabove-described embodiment(s). The computer may comprise one or more ofa central processing unit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU), or othercircuitry, and may include a network of separate computers or separatecomputer processors. The computer executable instructions may beprovided to the computer, for example, from a network or the storagemedium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or more of ahard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), astorage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as acompact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™),a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information processing apparatus comprising: amemory device in which information indicating a first activation mode ora second activation mode; a controller which: receives a reset signaloutput from a reset signal output device; refers to the informationstored in the memory device based on receiving the reset signal; (a) ina case where the referred information is information indicating thefirst activation mode, shifts into a first state in based on receivingthe reset signal, and then shifts from the first state into a secondstate based on receiving a predetermined on signal causing shifting fromthe first state into the second state, and (b) in a case where thereferred information is information indicating the second activationmode, shifts into the second state without input of the predetermined onsignal; and outputs a predetermined status signal based on shifting intothe second state; and a device which outputs the predetermined on signalto the controller which has received the reset signal and has not outputthe predetermined status signal.
 2. The information processing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein a predetermined state signal indicatesthat having a predetermined level indicates that the controller shiftsinto the second state.
 3. The information processing apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the memory device is a complementarymetal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS).
 4. The information processingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the memory device stores, otherthan the information indicating any one of the first activation mode andthe second activation mode, at least one of information indicating timeand information indicating an initial position address of a read-onlymemory (ROM).
 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim1, further comprising a battery configured to supply power to the memorydevice.
 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5,wherein the battery is a coin-type battery.
 7. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the device includes atimer, wherein the timer starts based on receiving the reset signalhaving a predetermined level and stops based on that the device receivesa predetermined state signal having the predetermined level from thecontroller after receiving the reset signal having the predeterminedlevel, and wherein the device outputs the on signal to the controllerbased on the timer.
 8. The information processing apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein a soft switch configured to be operable by a user andto output the on signal to the controller is not provided to theinformation processing apparatus.
 9. The information processingapparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a processor differentfrom the controller, wherein the processor set the information stored inthe memory device to information indicating the second activation mode.10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, whereinthe processor determines whether or not the information stored in thememory device is information indicating the second activation mode, andperforms the activation mode based on the determination.
 11. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 10, furthercomprising a display which displays information indicating that theactivation mode has been performed.
 12. The information processingapparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a printer whichprints an image on a sheet.
 13. The information processing apparatusaccording to claim 1, further comprising a reader which reads an imageof a document.
 14. The information processing apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the first state of the controller is a state in whichthe controller waits to receive the predetermined on signal.
 15. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thedevice outputs the predetermined on signal to the controller based on atime elapsing without receiving the predetermined status signal afterthe reset signal.
 16. The information processing apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein, based on the time elapsing without receiving thepredetermined status signal, the device outputs the predetermined onsignal to the controller without any operation by a user after the userturns on a power switch of the information processing apparatus.
 17. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thememory device holding the information is powered by a battery.
 18. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thecontroller outputs a plurality of status signals indicating a powerstate of the information processing apparatus and a clock signal. 19.The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein theinformation processing apparatus is not provided with a soft switchoperated by the user for outputting the predetermined on signal to thecontroller.
 20. The information processing apparatus according to claim1, further comprising: an image forming unit configured to form an imageon a sheet.
 21. The information processing apparatus according to claim1, wherein the first state and the second state correspond to an S5state and an S1 state defined by ACPI (Advanced Configuration and PowerInterface), respectively.
 22. A method performed by an informationprocessing apparatus comprising: receiving, via a controller, a resetsignal output from a reset signal output device; referring to theinformation stored in a memory device based on receiving the resetsignal; (a) in a case where the referred-to information is informationindicating the first activation mode, shifting into a first state basedon receiving the reset signal, and then shifting from the first stateinto a second state based on receiving a predetermined on signal causingshifting from the first state into the second state, and (b) in a casewhere the referred-to information is information indicating the secondactivation mode, shifting into the second state without input of thepredetermined on signal; and outputting a predetermined status signalbased on shifting into the second state; and outputting thepredetermined on signal to the controller which has received the resetsignal and has not output the predetermined status signal.